Injector systems and syringe adapters for use therewith

ABSTRACT

An adapter for releasably attaching a syringe to an injector. The adapter comprises a mounting mechanism positioned at a rear end of the adapter to mount the adapter in a desired position relative to a front wall of the injector; and a syringe carrier section adapted to seat at least a portion of the syringe. The syringe carrier section defines a first opening on a top thereof to allow placement of the syringe therein from the top and a second opening in a rear section thereof to allow the drive member of the injector to communicate forward force to the plunger. A cover portion extends over a rearward end of the first opening and has a first end configured to abut the flange of the syringe when the syringe is positioned within the syringe carrier section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. Nos. 62/449,874, entitled “Injection Systems and Syringe Adaptersfor Use Therewith”, filed Jan. 24, 2017 and 62/547,257, entitled“Systems and Methods for Fluid Delivery with an Adapter”, filed Aug. 18,2017, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field

The present disclosure relates to powered injector systems and syringeadapters for use therewith.

Description of Related Art

In many medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, a physician orother person injects a patient with a fluid. In recent years, a numberof injector-actuated syringes and powered injectors for pressurizedinjection of fluids, such as contrast media, have been developed for usein procedures such as angiography, computed tomography, ultrasound,nuclear medicine, NMR/MRI, and other imaging modalities. In general,these powered injectors are designed to deliver a preset amount ofcontrast media at a preset flow rate.

Typically, such powered injectors include a housing allowing one or moresyringes to be connected to a front wall thereof. These injectorsfurther comprise drive members such as pistons that connect to a syringeplunger. A syringe used with a front-loading injector usually includes areadily releasable mounting mechanism for securing the syringe to thefront wall of the injector. Such syringes may, for example, include asyringe body, a plunger reciprocally mounted therein, and a plungerextension for transfer of three to the plunger.

Accordingly, adapters have been designed to allow the use of varioussyringes with a front-loading injector. For instance, an adapter mayinclude a syringe carrier having a front end, a rear end, and a syringeretaining channel located between the carrier front and rear ends forengaging at least a portion of the syringe flange. Mounting flanges nearthe rearward end of the carrier releasably mount the carrier in adesired position relative to the front wall of the injector.

Although such conventional adapters provide a substantial improvement inthe art, it remains desirable to develop improved adapters for use withsyringes of various types to permit use of such syringes withfront-loading injectors.

In addition, the need to select and install these adapters to aninjector prior to performing; an injection increases the time requiredand complexity of each procedure. In particular, users must determinewhich adapters are approved for use with different types of prefilledsyringes. Different adapters may also have different use parameters,meaning that certain injection parameters or injector settings may needto be adjusted each time that a new adapter is selected. Users may beresponsible for manually adjusting these parameters and settings eachtime that a new adapter is used.

For these reasons, it is desirable to develop user interface systems forguiding users through the injector setup process and, in particular, forproviding assistance in selecting and installing different types ofadapters. The user interfaces and injector systems disclosed herein areintended to provide such benefits.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, provided is anadapter for releasably attaching a syringe to an injector. The syringecomprises a body, a front end having a fluid outlet extending from aforward end of the body, a plunger slideably positioned within the body,and a flange extending around a rearward end of the body. The injectorcomprises a front wall, an opening formed in the front wall, and a drivemember reciprocally mounted in the injector. The adapter comprises amounting mechanism positioned at a rear end of the adapter to mount theadapter in a desired position relative to the front wall of theinjector; and a syringe carrier section adapted to seat at least aportion of the syringe. The syringe carrier section defines a firstopening on a top thereof to allow placement of the syringe therein fromthe top and a second opening in a rear section thereof to allow thedrive member of the injector to communicate forward force to theplunger. A cover portion extends over a rearward end of the firstopening and has a first end configured to abut the flange of the syringewhen the syringe is positioned within the syringe carrier section.

A forward portion of the syringe carrier section may comprise twosubstantially opposed shoulder portions. The opposed shoulder portionsmay be configured to abut the front end of the syringe so that the forceexerted by the syringe on the adapter during an injection is generallysymmetrical about an axis of the adapter. The two substantially opposedshoulder portions may be positioned on a first lateral side and a secondlateral side, respectively, of the syringe carrier section.

The adapter may further comprise an intermediate section operablyconnected to and disposed between the syringe carrier section and themounting mechanism. A push rod may be at least partially disposed withinthe intermediate section. The push rod may comprise a first end forengaging the plunger of the syringe and a second end. The second end ofthe push rod may comprise a pair of biased engagement legs that areconfigured to engage the drive member of the injector. Each of theengagement legs may be biased by a spring element to return to anengagement position. Each of the engagement legs may comprise a freefirst end and a second end that is connected to the push rod. The freefirst end of each of the engagement legs may comprise a gripping memberconfigured to engage a flange provided on the drive member of theinjector.

In certain examples, a sealing member may be positioned within thesecond opening of the syringe carrier section and configured to contactthe push rod and prevent a fluid from the syringe from passing rearwardof the sealing member. A second end of the cover portion may comprise aretainer ring extending therefrom to hold the sealing member in placewithin the second opening of the syringe carrier section.

The syringe carrier section may comprise an inner surface and a flexingretaining member disposed on the inner surface. The flexing retainingmember may be adapted to place pressure on at least one side of thesyringe to retain the syringe within the syringe carrier section. The atleast one flexing retaining member may comprise a first leg having afirst end operatively connected to the inner surface of the syringecarrier section and a second free end, and a second leg spaced from thefirst leg having a first end operatively connected to the inner surfaceof the syringe carrier section and a second free end such that a spacebetween the first leg and the second leg may be configured to receivethe syringe.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, provided isan adapter for releasably attaching a syringe to an injector. Thesyringe comprises a body, a front end having a fluid outlet extendingfrom a forward end of the body, a plunger slideably positioned withinthe body, and a flange extending around a rearward end of the body. Theinjector comprises a front wall, an opening formed in the front wall,and a drive member reciprocally mounted in the injector. The adaptercomprises: a mounting mechanism positioned at a rear end of the adapterto mount the adapter in a desired position relative to the front wall ofthe injector; a syringe carrier section adapted to seat at least aportion of the syringe; and a cover portion extending over a rearwardend of the first opening. The syringe carrier section defines a firstopening on a top thereof to allow placement of the syringe therein fromthe top and a second opening in a rear section thereof to allow thedrive member of the injector to communicate forward force to theplunger. The cover portion comprises a body having a front face and rearface that are angled to meet at a top of the body. The front face of thecover portion causes the syringe to pivot in a controlled manner duringremoval of the syringe from the syringe carrier section.

The adapter may further comprise an intermediate section operablyconnected to and disposed between the syringe carrier section and themounting mechanism and a push rod at least partially disposed within theintermediate section. The push rod may comprise a first end for engagingthe plunger of the syringe and a second end. The second end of the pushrod may comprise a pair of biased engagement legs that are configured toengage the drive member of the injector. Each of the engagement legs maybe biased by a spring element to return to an engagement position. Eachof the engagement legs may comprise a free first end and a second endthat is connected to the push rod. The free first end of each of theengagement legs may comprise a gripping member configured to engage aflange provided on the drive member of the injector.

A first end of the cover portion may be configured to abut the flange ofthe syringe when the syringe is positioned within the syringe carriersection. A sealing member may be positioned within the second opening ofthe syringe carrier section and may be configured to contact the pushrod and prevent a fluid from the syringe from passing rearward of thesealing member. A second end of the cover portion may comprise aretainer ring extending therefrom to hold the sealing member in placewithin the second opening of the syringe carrier section.

The syringe carrier section may comprise an inner surface and a flexingretaining member disposed on the inner surface. The flexing retainingmember may be adapted to place pressure on at least one side of thesyringe to retain the syringe within the syringe carrier section. The atleast one flexing retaining member may comprise a first leg having afirst end operatively connected to the inner surface of the syringecarrier section and a second free end, and a second leg spaced from thefirst leg having a first end operatively connected to the inner surfaceof the syringe carrier section and a second free end such that a spacebetween the first leg and the second leg may be configured to receivethe syringe.

In accordance with still a further aspect of the present disclosure, afeedback and control system for a fluid injector includes an injectorcomprising a control device and at least one syringe port configured toreceive a syringe adapter. The at least one syringe port comprises asensor for obtaining information about the syringe adapter mountedthereto. The control device is in electronic communication with theinjector and includes a visual display. The control device displays auser interface for guiding a user during operation of the injector. Thecontrol device is configured to: determine a recommended adapter typebased on a type of fluid to be injected to a patient; determine one ormore injection parameters for an injection to be performed based, atleast in part, on the recommended adapter type; confirm that the syringeadapter mounted to the syringe port is the recommended adapter type; anddisplay a notification on the visual display if the syringe adaptermounted to the syringe port is not the recommended adapter type.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a feedback and controlsystem for a fluid injector includes an embodiment of the injector andthe control device. The injector comprises at least one syringe portconfigured to receive a syringe adapter. The at least one syringe portcomprises an axially movable piston configured to engage a plunger of aprefilled syringe inserted in the adapter and a sensor for obtaininginformation about a syringe and/or adapter mounted to the syringe port.The control device is in electronic communication with the injector andcomprises a visual display. The control device displays a user interfacefor guiding a user during operation of the injector. The control deviceis configured to: provide a visual representation of a syringe on thevisual display; cause the piston of the syringe port to advance from ahome position through the syringe adapter mounted to the syringe porttowards a plunger of the prefilled syringe; update the visualrepresentation of the syringe to depict that the syringe is full offluid as the piston begins to advance past the home position; andfurther update the visual representation of the syringe on the visualdisplay to display a volume of fluid remaining in the syringe, whereinthe displayed volume of fluid remaining in the syringe is determinedbased on a position of the piston relative to the home position of thepiston.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a feedback and controlsystem for a fluid injector includes an embodiment of the injector andthe control device. The injector comprises at least one syringe portconfigured to receive a syringe adapter. The at least one syringe portcomprises a sensor for obtaining information for the adapter. Thecontrol device in electronic communication with the injector comprises avisual display. The control device displays a user interface for guidinga user during operation of the injector. The control device isconfigured to: receive information from the syringe port sensor toidentify a type of adapter connected to the at least one syringe port;and provide on the visual display a visual icon indicating the type ofthe adapter connected to the at least one syringe port. The visual iconcomprises a visual representation of an adapter, which identifies thetype of adapter.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, provided is anadapter for releasably attaching a shielded syringe to an injector. Theshielded syringe comprises a body, a front end having a fluid outletextending from a forward end of the body, a plunger slideably positionedwithin the body, a flange extending around a rearward end of the body,and a syringe shield covering at least a portion of the syringe body.The injector comprises a front wall, an opening formed in the frontwall, and a drive member reciprocally mounted in the injector. Theadapter comprises: a mounting mechanism positioned at a rear end of theadapter to mount the adapter in a desired position relative to the frontwall of the injector; a syringe carrier section adapted to seat at leasta portion of the syringe; an insert member provided at a forward portionof the syringe carrier section; and an intermediate section operablyconnected to and disposed between the syringe carrier section and themounting mechanism. The syringe carrier section defines a first openingon a top thereof to allow placement of the syringe therein from the topand a second opening in a rear section thereof to allow the drive memberof the injector to communicate forward force to the plunger. The insertmember is designed and configured to securely hold the shielded syringetherein.

The insert member may comprise a pair of notches provided to secure theflange of the shielded syringe therein. A forward force during aninjection procedure on the shielded syringe from the drive member of theinjector may be one of fully transmitted through the syringe shield,partially transmitted through the syringe shield, and prevented frombeing transmitted through the syringe shield.

In accordance with still another aspect of the disclosure, provided isan adapter for releasably attaching a syringe to an injector. Thesyringe comprises a body, a front end having a fluid outlet extendingfrom a forward end of the body, a plunger slideably positioned withinthe body, and a flange extending around a rearward end of the body. Theinjector comprises a front wall, an opening formed in the front wall,and a drive member reciprocally mounted in the injector. The adaptercomprises: a mounting mechanism positioned at a rear end of the adapterto mount the adapter in a desired position relative to the front wall ofthe injector; a syringe carrier section adapted to seat at least aportion of the syringe; and an intermediate section operably connectedto and disposed between the syringe carrier section and the mountingmechanism. The syringe carrier section defining a first opening on a topthereof to allow placement of the syringe therein from the top. Theintermediate section comprises a reduction mechanism to modify adisplacement relationship between the drive member of the injector andthe plunger of the syringe.

The reduction mechanism may comprise: a generally planar element havinga top surface and a bottom surface and a slot extending therebetween; aplunger engaging mechanism extending through the slot and configured toengage the plunger of the syringe prior to an injection procedure; apair of rails extending from the bottom surface of the generally planarelement; a drive member engaging portion positioned to engage the drivemember of the injector and travel along the rails during an injectionprocedure; a lever having a first end pivotally connected to the drivemember engaging portion, a second end pivotally connected to the bottomsurface of the planar element, and an intermediate portion; and a slidermechanism located centrally on the bottom surface of the planar element.The slider mechanism may be pivotally connected to the intermediateportion of the lever and operatively connected to the plunger rodengaging mechanism such that movement of the slider mechanism causes theplunger to move through syringe and expel fluid therefrom.

These and other features and characteristics of the device of thepresent disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions ofthe related elements of structures and the combination of parts andeconomies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon considerationof the following description and the appended claims with reference tothe accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of thisspecification, wherein like reference numerals designate correspondingparts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however,that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and descriptiononly and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the device ofthe present disclosure. As used in the specification and the claims, thesingular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an injector system in accordance withthe present disclosure for use in connection with an MRI procedure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adapter for use with the injectorsystem of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 2 with a syringeloaded therein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cover portion of the adapter of FIG.2;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cover portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cover portion taken along lineA-A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flexing retaining member of theadapter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the flexing retaining member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the flexing retaining member takenalong line A-A in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an engagement leg of an engagementmechanism of the adapter of FIG. 2 for connecting the adapter to a drivemember of the injector system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pair of engagement legs of theengagement mechanism of the adapter of FIG. 2 connecting the adapter tothe drive member of the injector system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of an injector in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic drawing of a user interface screen which can bedisplayed on a display of an injector system for controlling andproviding feedback about an injection procedure performed using thesystem in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing of another user interface screen for aninjector system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing of another user interface screen for aninjector system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic drawing of another user interface screen for aninjector system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A and 188 are schematic drawings of additional user interfacescreens for an injector system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a process for preparing and performingan injection with an injector system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing another example process for performingan injection with the injector system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing another example process for performingan injection with the injector system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing another example process for performingan injection with the injector system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an alternative adapter for use with ashielded syringe and the injector system of FIG. 1 in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 23 and ashielded syringe for positioning therein;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 23 with a shieldedsyringe loaded therein;

FIG. 26 is a top perspective view of another example of an adapter foruse with a shielded syringe and the injector system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 26illustrating the position of various components once an injectionprocedure has been commenced;

FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 26illustrating the position of various components once an injectionprocedure has been completed; and

FIG. 30 is a top perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 26 illustratingthe position of various components once an injection procedure has beencompleted.

DESCRIPTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof, shall relate to the device ofthe present disclosure as it is oriented in the drawing figures.However, it is to be understood that the device of the presentdisclosure may assume various alternative variations, except whereexpressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood thatthe specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and describedin the Wowing specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of thedevice of the present disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein arenot to be considered as limiting.

The adapter of the present disclosure can be used in connection withvirtually any injector and any syringe that is not specifically designedfor use with the injector (i.e., a “non-native syringe”) or syringeportion simply by appropriate design of the injector interface mountingmechanism, injector interface section, or injector interface portion ofthe adapter and appropriate design of the syringe interface portion ofthe adapter. The adapter may enable an injector designed for one usewith one or more imaging modalities, for example CT or MR, to be usedwith another imaging modality, for example nuclear medicine, byaccommodation a syringe and a shield as are commonly used withradioactive fluids for injection. In that regard, the syringe adaptersof the present disclosure include a forward portion that includes asyringe interface to interact with and connect to the non-native syringeor syringe portion and a rearward portion that includes an injectorinterface to operatively connect the adapter to the syringe interface ofthe injector. The injector interface generally has a conformationsimilar to the mounting mechanism (for example, a flange configuration)found on syringes designed for use with the injector (i.e., “nativesyringes”) (through which such native syringes are attached to thesyringe interface of the injector).

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary front-loading injector system 5is illustrated. Injector system 5 is particularly adapted for use in MRIprocedures and includes a powered injector 10, a native syringe 20 forinjection of saline solution, and an adapter 100. An example of aninjector 10 is the Medrad® MRXperion™ MR Injection System available fromthe Radiology business of the Pharmaceutical Division of Bayer AG ofIndianola, Penn., U.S.A. However, the adapter disclosed herein may beused in connection with other fluid delivery systems, includinginjectors and infusion pumps for computed tomography, ultrasound,angiographic procedures, nuclear medicine, and other imaging procedures.

The injector 10 comprises an injector housing 30 comprising a firstdrive member or injector piston 40 a therein which cooperates with asyringe plunger 50 in native syringe 20 to inject a fluid from theinterior of native syringe 20 into a patient. The injector 10 alsoincludes a second drive member 40 b that cooperates with a push rod 52of the adapter 100 and, in turn, a plunger 54 of a non-native syringe200. In one arrangement, the native syringe 20 may contain saline andthe non-native syringe 200 may contain a fluid such as a contrastmedium.

As used herein to describe injector system 5, the terms “axial” or“axially” refer generally to, for example, an axis A1 around whichadapter 100 is formed (although not necessarily symmetricallytherearound) or an axis B1 around which native syringe 20 is formed(although not necessarily symmetrically therearound). The terms“proximal” or “rearward” refer generally to an axial or a longitudinaldirection toward the end of injector housing 30 opposite the end towhich the native syringe 20 and adapter 100 are mounted. The terms“distal” or “forward” refer generally to an axial or a longitudinaldirection toward a syringe tip of the native syringe 20 or thenon-native syringe 200. The term “radial” refers generally to adirection normal to an axis such as axis A1 or axis B1.

The native syringe 20 and the adapter 100 are, in one example, removablyconnected to the injector 10. In that regard, injector 10 includes afront wall 80 having a first syringe port or opening 82 formed therein,referred to herein as syringe port B. The drive member 40 a isreciprocally mounted within the injector 10 and is extendible throughopening 82. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,489, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety, the native syringe 20includes a body or barrel portion 56 having a rear end 58 and a frontend 60 including a fluid discharge or outlet 62. A mounting flange (notshown) is associated with barrel portion 56 adjacent to or at rear end120 of syringe 20. In addition, a flange (sometimes referred to as adrip flange) is positioned forward of the mounting flange to, forexample, facilitate the engagement of syringe 20 to the first opening 82of the injector and/or to prevent fluid expelled from discharge oroutlet 62 of syringe 20 from entering into injector 10 via the firstopening 82. In one example, the first opening 82 has a syringe interface(not shown) which cooperates with the mounting flange of the syringe 20.

The front wall 80 of the injector 10 further includes a second syringeport or opening 84 formed therein, referred to herein as syringe port A.The drive member 40 b is reciprocally mounted within the injector 10 andis extendible through the second opening 84. With reference to FIGS. 2-4and with continued reference to FIG. 1, the adapter 100 is configured toreleasably attach the non-native syringe 200 to the second opening 84 ofthe injector 10. A typical non-native syringe 200 comprises acylindrical body 202, a front end 204 extending from a forward end 206of the body 202, a plunger 54 slideably positioned within the body 202,and a flange 208 extending around a rearward end 210 of the body 202(see FIG. 4). The front end 204 may be of any angle, positive ornegative, or any other curvature and includes a fluid outlet.

In one example, the adapter 100 comprises: a mounting mechanism 102positioned at a rear end 104 of the adapter 100 to mount the adapter 100in a desired position relative to the front wall 80 of the injector 10;a syringe carrier section 106 adapted to seat the syringe 200 therein;and an intermediate section 108 operably connected to and disposedbetween the syringe carrier section 106 and the mounting mechanism 102.

The mounting mechanism 102 comprises any suitable mechanism forreleasably mounting the adapter 100 to the syringe interface within thesecond opening 84. In one example, the mounting mechanism 102 comprisesa mounting flange 110 and a drip flange 112 positioned forward of themounting flange 110 to, for example, facilitate the engagement of theadapter 100 to the second opening 84 of the injector and/or to preventfluid expelled from the syringe 200 from entering into injector 10 viathe second opening 84.

As rear end 104 of the adapter 100 is passed through the second opening84 of the front wall 80 of the injector 10, the mounting flange 110contacts the syringe interface positioned therein. Mounting flange 110includes a sloping section and a shoulder section that is essentiallyperpendicular to the exterior surface of the cylindrical rear end 104 ofthe adapter 100. The syringe interface is adapted to engage a forwardsurface or shoulder of mounting flange 110 of adapter 100 when theadapter 100 is fully installed in the second opening 84. At least one,and desirably two or more, extending tabs or projections 114 areprovided at rear end 104 of adapter 100. Upon rotation of the adapter100, tabs or projections 114 enable release of adapter 100 fromengagement with the syringe interface. This mounting mechanism issimilar to the mounting mechanism for a syringe disclosed inInternational Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/142995, whichis hereby incorporated by reference. While one example of a mountingmechanism is described hereinabove, this is not to be construed aslimiting the present disclosure as any suitable mounting mechanism maybe utilized to releasably attach the adapter 100 to the front wall 80 ofthe injector 10, such as the mounting mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,726,657 and 9,173,995, which are hereby incorporated byreference.

The syringe carrier section 106 defines a first opening 116 on a topthereof to allow placement of the syringe 200 therein from the side anda second opening 118 in a rear section 120 thereof to allow the drivemember 40 a of the injector to communicate forward force to the plunger54 of the syringe 200. A forward portion 122 of the syringe carriersection 106 comprises two substantially opposed shoulder portions 124.In one example, the opposed shoulder portions 124 are configured to abutthe front end 204 of the syringe 200 so that the force exerted by thesyringe 200 on the adapter 100 during an injection is generallysymmetrical about the axis A1 of the adapter 100. The opposed shoulderportions 124 may be formed from a first substantially U-shaped clampingelement 126 and a second substantially U-shaped clamping element 128having a resilient bumper 130 interposed therebetween such that the twosubstantially opposed shoulder portions 124 are positioned on a firstlateral side 132 and a second lateral side 134, respectively, of thesyringe carrier section 106. In addition, a third opening 119 isprovided in a bottom of the forward portion 122 of the syringe carriersection 106. This third opening 119 allows a user to eject the syringe200 from the syringe carrier section 106 once an injection procedure iscomplete.

Because the top portion of the syringe carrier section 106 and theopposed shoulder portions 124 are open for ease of removal of syringe200, asymmetrical loading of mounting mechanism 102 can occur if frontend 204 of syringe 200 contacts a bottom portion of the shoulderportions 124 during advancement of push rod 52. The resulting bendingmoment about mounting mechanism 102 can cause failure of the adapter100. To substantially reduce or eliminate asymmetrical loading, shoulderportions 124 are shaped, in one example, to prevent such asymmetricalloading by, for example, being open on the top and bottom thereofRemoving a bottom edge of shoulder portions 124 where front end 204 ofsyringe 200 would otherwise rest results in generally symmetricalloading about the axis of the adapter system 100 (and syringe 200) andsubstantially reduces or removes lateral loads and bending momentsduring forward plunger advancement. Axial load applied to the end ofadapter 100 is maximized while lateral load is minimized.

The intermediate section 108 is operably connected to and disposedbetween the syringe carrier section 106 and the mounting mechanism 102.The intermediate section 108 comprises a cylindrical body 136 having thepush rod 52 at least partially disposed therein. In one example, thepush rod 52 has a first end for engaging the plunger 54 of the syringe200 and a second end 138. The second end 138 of the push rod 52 includesan engagement mechanism 140 configured to engage the drive member 40 bof the injector 10. The first end of the push rod 52 includes an element142 configured to releasably connect the push rod 52 to the plunger 54.The element 142 may be integrally formed with the push rod 52 orconnected thereto with a bolt 144 or other suitable fastening mechanism.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7 and with continued reference to FIGS. 2-4,the syringe carrier section 106 is provided with a cover portion 146extending over a rearward end of the first opening 116. The purpose ofthe cover portion 146 is to protect an operator's hands from enteringthe area where the push rod 52 engages the syringe 200 during operation.The cover portion 146 may also be configured to prevent an incompatiblesyringe from fitting in the adapter 100, as some adapters are sized(e.g., having a unique height or other dimensions) to accommodate orreceive only certain types of compatible syringes. The cover portion 146has a body 148 that is sized and shaped to fit over the rearward end ofthe first opening 116. The body 148 includes a front face 150 and a rearface 152 that are angled to meet at the top of the body 148. A forwardend of the front face 150 of the body 148 is configured to abut theflange 208 of the syringe 200 when the syringe 200 is positioned withinthe syringe carrier section 106 and has a semicircular cutout 154 thatallows the push rod 52 to pass therethrough. By abutting the flange 208of the syringe 200, the cover portion 146 biases the syringe 200 towardthe forward portion 122 of the syringe carrier section 106, therebyencouraging forward biased insertion of the syringe 200. Forward biasingof the syringe 200 aids with the action of priming the syringe 200 byeliminating additional forward movement of the syringe 200 which maycause unintended fluid ejection/waste of contrast. In addition, coverportion 146 allows for easier removal of the syringe 200 following aninjection procedure. Due to the angled front face 150 of the coverportion 146, the syringe 200 pivots in a more controlled manner when auser presses on the syringe 200 through the third opening 119 to ejectthe syringe 200 from the syringe carrier section 106.

The adapter 100 also includes a cleaning or contact member such as awiper seal 156 positioned within the second opening 118 of the syringecarrier section 106. The wiper seal 156 has a substantially ring-likeshape that allows the push rod 52 to extend therethrough. An end of therear face 152 of the cover portion 146, in one example, includes aretainer ring structure 158 extending therefrom to hold the wiper seal156 in place within the second opening 118 of the syringe carriersection 106. The wiper seal 156 operates to remove unwanted contrastmedia (resulting, for example, from leakage and/or spillage) from thepush rod 52. In that regard, as the drive member 40 b of the injector 10is being retracted following an injection, wiper seal 156 cleans/wipesany contrast media that has inadvertently adhered to push rod 52therefrom. Moreover, wiper seal 156 also minimizes unwanted contrastmedia from entering the intermediate section 108 of the adapter system100. The retaining ring structure 158, in one example, holds wiper seal156 in place via a pressure fit in the second opening 118 of the syringecarrier section 106.

The syringe carrier section 106 may further be provided with one or morefeatures to secure the syringe 200 at a desired orientation within thefirst opening 116 thereof For example, the adapter 100 may include arotating retaining member 160 to assist in retaining and/or stabilizingsyringe 200 in proper alignment within the first opening 116 of thesyringe carrier section 106. The rotating retaining member 160 isslideably retained in a generally cylindrically shaped passage 162 inthe syringe carrier section 106 (see FIG. 3). The rotating retainingmember 160 is illustrated in an open or disengaged position in FIG. 2.To close or engage the rotating retaining member 160 to retain syringe200, the operator can supply force to collar tab 164 to rotate retainingmember 160 within passage 162 to a closed position as illustrated inFIG. 4. In some examples, the rotating retaining member 160 is brightlycolored to provide user feedback to promote use and closure of therotating retaining member 160.

With reference to FIGS. 8-10 and with continuing reference to FIGS. 2-4,the syringe carrier section 106 may also include a flexing retainingmember 166 disposed on an inner surface thereof. The flexing retainingmember 166 is adapted to place pressure on at least one side of thesyringe 200 to retain the syringe 200 within the syringe carrier section106. In one example, the flexing retaining member 166 includes a firstleg 168, a second leg 170, and a body portion 173 operatively connectedto the inner surface of the syringe carrier member 106. The first leg168 has a first end 172 extending from the body portion 173 and a secondfree end 174. The second leg 170 also has a first end 176 and a secondfree end 178. The second leg 170 is spaced from the first leg 168 suchthat a space 180 between the first leg 168 and the second leg 170 isconfigured to receive the syringe 200. The flexing retaining member 166assists, for example, in retaining the syringe 200 within syringecarrier section 106 when the injector 10 is rotated to a position otherthan horizontal when syringe 200 is placed with the syringe carriersection 106. In one example, if the injector 10 is in a verticalorientation, the flexing retaining member 166 prevents the syringe 200from falling out of syringe carrier section 106 even before the rotatingretaining member 160 can be rotated to a closed position. The flexingretaining member 166 is more durable than previous designs, therebyallowing for longer use. Specifically, the first and second legs 168,170 are optimized in thickness and material for repeated installationsand removals of syringes 200. In addition, the first and second legs168, 170 of the flexing retaining member 166 are configured to providetactile and/or audible feedback to a user upon correct installationand/or removal of the syringe 200.

In addition, the flexing retaining member 166 is provided with a pair ofretention legs 175, 177 to prevent the syringe 200 from completelydisengaging with the adapter 100 when a user presses on the syringe 200through the third opening 119 to eject the syringe 200 from the syringecarrier section 106. The flexing retaining member 166 is also providedwith a sloped surface 179 at an end of the flexing retaining member 166that is positioned facing the cover portion 146. The sloped surface 179extends towards the bottom of the syringe carrier section 106 of theadapter 100 and is configured to engage the flange 208 of the syringe200 to allow for a more controlled pivoting action of the syringe 200when a user presses on the syringe 200 through the third opening 119 toeject the syringe 200 from the syringe carrier section 106.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 and with continued reference to FIG.3, as mentioned hereinabove, the push rod 52 includes an engagementmechanism 140 provided on the second end 138 thereof. The engagementmechanism 140 comprises an engagement hub 182, which is connected to thesecond end 138 of the push rod 52 via a dowel pin 184 or any othersuitable attachment mechanism, and a pair of biased engagement legs 186operatively connected to the engagement huh 182 via dowel pins 188 orany other suitable attachment mechanism. Each of the engagement legs 186comprise a free first end 192 and a second end 196 that is connected tothe engagement huh 182 via the dowel pins 188. In addition, theengagement legs 186 are biased by a spring element 190. The springelement 190 allows the engagement legs 186 to extend away from eachother when the first end 192 of the legs 186 contacts a flange 194 ofthe drive member 40 b of the injector 10 and then return to anengagement position when the first end 192 passes the flange 194 (seeFIG. 12). The free first end 192 of each of the engagement legs 186comprises a gripping member 198 configured to engage the flange 194provided on the drive member 40 b of the injector 10. The engagementmechanism 140 described hereinabove allows for installation of theadapter 100 in a non-orientation specific manner. This allows theadapter 100 to be connected to the injector 10 when the injector 10 isparallel to the ground. In this manner, the syringe 200 can be mountedwithin the adapter 100 with the adapter 100 being positioned parallel tothe ground, thereby allowing the syringe 200 to be installed within theadapter 100 with less risk of the syringe 200 falling out duringinstallation. While one example of an engagement mechanism is describedhereinabove, this is not to be construed as limiting the presentdisclosure as any suitable engagement mechanism may be utilized toconnect the push rod 52 to the drive member 40 b of the injector, suchas the engagement mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,984,222, and7,419,478 and International Patent Application Publication No. WO2015/142995, which are each hereby incorporated by reference.

In operation of the adapter 100, the push rod 52 makes a connection withthe drive member 40 b of the injector 10 as described hereinabove afterthe mounting mechanism 102 is attached to the front wall 80 of theinjector 10. The syringe 200 can be top loaded via first opening 116into syringe carrier section 106 either before or after connection ofadapter 100 to the injector 10 via the mounting mechanism 102. The pushrod 52 is advanced forward through the intermediate section 108 by thedrive member 40 b until the element 142 at the first end thereof pilotsinto the syringe plunger 54 to abut a rearward facing wall sectionwithin plunger 54. In one example, the element 142 is generally theshape of the rearward facing interior of the plunger 54. In this manner,the element 142 provides support to the plunger 54 to maintain the shapeof the plunger 54 during use of the syringe 200. In many examples, theplunger 54 is fabricated predominantly from an elastomeric material. Ifthe side walls of plunger 54 do not make adequate sealing contact withthe interior side wall of syringe body 202, leakage of contrast to therear of the plunger 54 can occur during advancement of the plunger 54.Thereafter, the contents of the syringe 200 are injected into a patientusing the injector 10.

With returning reference to FIG. 1, the injector system 5 may beprovided with a controller 300, such as a microprocessor, operativelyconnected to the injector 10, a display 302 operatively connected to thecontroller 300, and a user input device 304 operatively connected to thecontroller 300. The controller 300, display 302. and user input device304 may be positioned adjacent to the injector system 5 and/orpositioned remotely from the injector system 5, such as in a controlroom. The controller 300 may communicate with the injector system 5 viaa wired or wireless connection. In addition, the display 302 may beconfigured as any suitable display for providing visual and/or audibleinformation regarding the injection system 5 to a user. The user inputdevice 304 may be configured as any suitable device for allowing a userto provide information to the controller 300. In one example, thedisplay 302 and user input device 304 are integrated into a singledevice as a touch screen display.

The controller 300 is configured to receive user input and input fromvarious sensors provided within the injector system 5 to control aninjection procedure. With regard to the adapter 100 described herein,the controller 300 may be configured to receive information from theadapter 100 and adjust an injection procedure based on such information.For example, the adapter 100 may be configured to include an encodingdevice (not shown) positioned thereon and the injector system 5 mayinclude a device operatively connected to the controller 300 for readingthe encoding device. The encoding device may be a bar code having spacedbars, raised surfaces representing spaced bars, mechanically readabledevices, e.g. a slot, hole, or projection on the mounting mechanism 102designed to register against a switch on the injector 10, opticallyreadable devices, e.g. characters, dots and other geometric shapes, thatwill send information concerning the adapter 100 to the controller 300,or a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag. In one example, abase portion of the adapter which is inserted in the syringe port mayinclude a pattern of grooves and ridges which can be identified by ascanner or sensor positioned in the injector syringe port as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,363, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. Information captured by the sensor or scanner canbe processed to identified the adapter type. Examples of the informationwhich could be encoded on the encoding device include size of theadapter 100, types of syringes 200 that are compatible with the adapter100, manufacturing information such as lot numbers, dates and toolcavity number, recommended contrast media flow rates and pressures, andloading/injection sequences.

In one example, the information from the encoding device of the adapter100 is provided to the controller 300 when the adapter is mounted on theinjector 10. Using this information, the controller 300 providesfeedback to a user on the display 302 regarding the type of adapter 100that has been installed. In some examples, based upon the adapter 100that has been installed, the controller 300 could also display types ofprefilled syringes that are compatible with the installed adapter 100.Alternatively, the injector system 5 is configured to allow a user toinput a type of prefilled syringe using the user input device 304 thatis used for an injection procedure. Based on this information, thecontroller 300 is configured to display on the display 302 the type ofadapter 100 that is compatible with the selected syringe. In yet anotherexample, the injector system 5 may be provided with a bar code or RFIDreader (not shown) to read a bar code or RFID tag provided on thesyringe 200. Based on the information from the bar code or RFID tag, thecontroller 300 is configured to display on the display 302 the type ofadapter 100 that is compatible with the selected syringe.

Following an injection procedure, the controller 300 can be configuredto automatically retract the drive member 40 and in turn the push rod 52if, for example, the controller 300 receives a signal indicating thatless than 5 mL of volume is remaining in the prefilled syringe 200 atthe end of an injection procedure and/or if a user indicates theinjection is completed by selecting, for example, an End of Case or NextPatient input on the user input device 304. Alternatively, thecontroller 300 may provide a popup display or message asking the user toconfirm that the drive member 40 and push rod 52 should be retracted.This automatic retraction of the drive member 40 and the push rod 52allows for removal of the prefilled syringe 200 from the adapter 100. Inaddition, prior to installation of a syringe 200 into adapter 100, ifthe push rod 52 is not positioned at or near the end of front face 150of cover portion 146, the controller 300, based on input from a userthrough user input device 304, will be configured to automaticallyreturn the push rod 52 to a position at or near the end of front face150 of cover portion 146 to allow for easy insertion of a new syringe200.

Accordingly, the control and feedback systems of the present disclosureprovide guidance to users in selecting and installing prefilled syringeadapters for powered injectors. A prefilled syringe adapter (PFA) can beselected based on the size and type of prefilled syringe being used foran injection. The control and feedback systems described herein can alsodetermine parameter translation or calibration constants and limits forinjection parameters based on the type of recommended or compatibleadapter. For example, depending upon the diameter of the syringe, theparameter of milliliters injected per millimeter of travel will bedifferent. Similarly, pressure per pounds of force on the push rod willdiffer and thus require translation in the control system. Differentsyringes may also have differences in the maximum pressure or pressurelimit that is allowed.

More specific examples of such control and feedback systems are providedwith reference to the schematic drawing of the injector 10 provided inFIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 13, the injector 10 includes a front paneldisplay 306 comprising a plurality of buttons 308 and knobs 310 forcontrolling the injector 10. For example, buttons 308 can be pressed tomanually advance or retract the injector piston (e.g., by pressing andholding one of the buttons 308), as well as to initiate processes suchas auto-priming saline solution or automatically retracting the injectorand/or PFA piston after an injection has been completed. For example, auser may press a button 308 or twist a knob 310 to manually advance orretract the injector piston and adapter push rod. The front paneldisplay can include a visual display 312, such as an. LED display,showing numerical values for injection parameters or injection statusinformation. In some examples, the injection parameter values can bedetermined based on which adapter is connected to the injector 10 or onthe type of fluid to be injected. As described herein, the numericalvalues can also include an estimated volume of fluid remaining in aprefilled syringe connected to the injector calculated based on aposition of the injector piston, push rod, and syringe plunger. Thevisual display 312 can also be used to instruct the user in preparingfor an injection. For example, information, such as a recommended orcompatible adapter type, can flash on the display 312 to inform the userof the recommendation. The injection parameters can also be displayed onscreens of a user interface on the display 302 of the injector system 5.

The injector system 5 can include a graphical user interface configuredto be displayed on the display 302 for guiding a user through initialinjector setup, injection preparation, performing the injection, andpost-injection processes. The user interface can include a number ofdifferent screens and popup boxes or menus for providing information tothe user about a process being performed and for receiving input fromthe user about the patient, syringe, adapter, and other systemcomponents. The user interface can be displayed on a touchscreen device,such as a computer tablet or laptop. In that case, the user can interactwith the user interface by touching different portions of the displayscreen to record selections. In other examples, the display 302 can be aconventional computer with input accessories including a mouse andkeyboard. In that case, the user can input selections and information byusing the mouse to click on a portion of the display screen or by typinginformation using the keyboard in a conventional manner.

In most cases, the user will first be presented with an overview orprotocol screen including information about the patient and procedure tobe performed. An exemplary protocol screen that can be shown on display302 is depicted in FIG. 14. The screen 400 includes a portion 412identifying the injection procedure to be performed, a patientinformation portion 414, a fluids portion 416 displaying types of fluidscontained in syringes mounted to the injector, an events portion 418,and a central portion 420 with information about the injection protocolto be performed. In some examples, the screen 400 can also include amessage portion (not shown), which permits a user to send and receivemessages from individuals at other locations. For example, a systemoperator may send a message to a technician standing near the injector.Messages may be required, for example, if the display 302 is located ina control room remote from the injector, meaning that the systemoperator and technician cannot talk to one another.

The screen 400 can also include a plurality of virtual buttons which canbe selected by the user to input information about an injectionprocedure and/or to control operation of the injector. For example,pressing a radio button 424 associated with the fluids portion 416 ofthe screen 400 may generate a popup box with additional informationabout fluids contained in the syringes. Pressing the button 424 may alsocause either a fluid delivery set up screen (shown in FIG. 18A) and/or acontrast setup screen (shown in FIG. 18B) for manually selecting whichfluids will be injected. Other virtual buttons allow a user to access aprotocol manager and to schedule events or reminders. Still othervirtual buttons can be used to control the injector. For example, thescreen 400 can include a test inject button 434 to activate the injectorand/or a lock button 436 which locks the injection protocol and allowsthe user to arm the system. In some examples, the screen 400 can alsoinclude buttons for manually or automatically advancing the injectorpiston to prime the fluid path or to retract the injector pistonfollowing an injection so that an empty syringe can be removed from theadapter or syringe port.

In some examples, the patient information portion 414 of the screen 400displays fields including a patient ID number, date of birth, weight,and other patient characteristics. The patient information can bemanually entered or can be automatically populated from informationstored on system memory associated with the injector system ordownloaded from an external database, such as a medical facility patientelectronic health record database. In order to manually enterinformation, the user interface can display a virtual keyboard on thescreen allowing the user to type information, such as the patient nameand physical characteristics. Information may also be typed or selectedusing an input accessory (e.g., a keyboard or computer mouse) associatedwith the display 302 (shown in FIG. 1). In some examples, informationfields can be populated based on a selection entered by the user. Forexample, the user interface can allow a user to select a patient for aninjection to be performed from a list of previous patients. Once thepatient is selected from the list, information such as name, date ofbirth, and other fields can be automatically populated from informationstored on system memory associated with the injector system.

The patient information portion 414 also includes a button 440 which canbe selected by the user to display a popup box with additional patientinformation. When the button 440 is pressed, a screen or popup box 600(shown in FIG. 16) with a patient information tab is displayed to theuser. The screen 600 includes fields for information such as a patientID number 610, last name 612, first name 614, date of birth 616, weight618, height 620, and gender 622. The information can be more detailedthan information shown on the protocol screen 400. In some examples, auser can either scan a patient's identifying tag, such as on aninformational bracelet, or manually update information in the patientinformation fields by, for example, selecting a field and typing in newdata. In some examples, fields can be automatically populated. Forexample, a user can manually enter a patient name or ID number for a newpatient. The system can also search a patient database for the name orID number and populate remaining patient fields based on information inthe database.

In sonic examples, the fluids portion 416 of the display screen can listfluids contained in a syringe connected to syringe ports A and B. Asdescribed above, to review additional information about fluids beinginjected, a user can select the button 424 to generate a screen or popupbox including additional information about the current syringes.

An exemplary current fluid information screen or box 700 is shown inFIG. 17. The screen or popup box 700 includes fields for a type ofcontrast or source type 712 (e.g., identified by tradename andmanufacturer), batch number 714, and expiration date 716. Thisinformation is traditionally printed on a label of a prefilled syringe.In some examples, a user can manually enter information from the syringelabel into the injector system using the user interface. In otherexamples, information can be electronically scanned from a syringe labelor bar code. In other examples, the information can be stored in aninventory database. When the user selects the fluid name, otherinformation about the fluid and syringe can be downloaded from thedatabase and shown in the popup box 700. In some examples, the screen700 can include a virtual button or check box (not shown) allowing auser to select whether the fluid should be delivered using an adapter.When the box is selected or checked, the system can provide arecommendation for what type of adapter to use for delivering theidentified fluid. In some examples, a user can select default fluidtypes by selecting the “Load Defaults” button 718 in FIG. 17. As shownin FIG. 17, a user can switch between reviewing information for thefluid in syringe A and the fluid in syringe B using a series of tabs 720located near the top of the box 700. The box 700 also includes a checkbox 722 allowing the user to select whether the injection will beperformed with a prefilled syringe adapter. When the check box 722 isselected, the system provides feedback about a compatible or recommendedPFA, for use with the selected contrast fluid and other injectionparameters. For example, as discussed in connection with FIG. 14, a PFAicon could be displayed showing the user the compatible or recommendedPFA.

With reference again to FIG. 14, the central or protocol portion 420 ofthe screen 400 includes detailed information about injection parametersfor an injection to be performed. In some examples, the protocol portion420 comprises visual indicators or icons 422 depicting syringes and/oradapters. For example, an icon 422 b depicting a syringe is labeled “B”indicating that it depicts a syringe mounted to syringe port B of theinjector. Since the icon 422 b does not show an adapter, it isunderstood that the syringe mounted in syringe port B is a nativesyringe sized to be directly mounted to syringe port B. In someexamples, such a native syringe contains saline solution configured tobe mixed with a contrast agent prior to delivery to the patient. An icon422 a of a syringe and adapter labeled “A” is also shown in the protocolportion 420. Since both the syringe and adapter are shown, the icon 422a indicates that the syringe will be connected to the syringe port Awith an adapter. The icon 422 a shown in FIG. 14 does not identify theadapter type. For example, the icon 422 a does not include a number orcolor which would inform the user what adapter type to use. As such, theicon 422 a may indicate that an adapter is needed for the injection, buthas not yet been inserted in syringe port A. For example, the icon 422 acould include a dashed outline of an adapter indicating that an adapteris needed but not yet installed. In that case, the protocol portion 420of the screen 400 can also include a recommended or compatible adaptericon 442 indicating a type of adapter which can be used for an injectionprocedure to be performed with the selected contrast fluid. For example,the icon 422 a can be a particular color or number corresponding to aspecific adapter size or configuration. In some cases, the injector iscapable of receiving a number of different adapter types. In someexamples, each adapter type can be assigned a number (e.g., 1-5) and/orcolor (e.g., red, green, yellow, blue, purple). The compatible adaptericon 442 can include an image of the recommended or compatible adapteralong with a visual representation of the recommended adapter's assignednumber and/or color. For example, compatible adapter icon 442 in FIG. 14indicates that adapter type “3” should be inserted into syringe port A.In some examples, the icon 442 may also indicate when an incompatiblePFA is installed. For example, the icon 422 could include an “x” orcross over the visual representation of the PFA showing a user that theinstalled PFA is incorrect.

In some examples, once an adapter is installed in syringe port A of theinjector, the icon 422 a may change shape to depict that the adapter hasbeen installed. For example, once the adapter is installed in thesyringe port A, the icon 422 a can be updated to, for example, replacedashed lines with solid lines or to show the number and/or color of theinstalled adapter. In some examples, the icons 422 are animated iconswhich change appearance as an injection is being performed to indicatestatus or progress of the injection. For example, the icons 422 candepict whether the prefilled syringes mounted to the injector are empty,full, or to show an amount of fluid remaining in the syringe. As aninjection is being performed, fluid volume shown by the icons 422decreases. For example, in FIG. 14, icon 422 b is shown filled withfluid F. As an injection is being performed, fluid level line 446 in thesyringe can decrease indicating that fluid is being expelled from thesyringe connected to syringe port B. Following completion of theinjection procedure, the icons 422 may show that the syringe(s) areempty to indicate that all fluid contained in the syringe(s) has beendelivered to the patient. In addition, a message or animation can bedisplayed on the screen 400 to indicate that the injection has beencompleted. In a similar manner, a message can be displayed asking theuser whether the piston should be retracted. Once the piston rod isfully retracted, a message can be displayed indicating that the user canremove the used syringe from the adapter.

The protocol portion 420 of the screen 400 also includes numericalrepresentations of different injection parameters. For example, theprotocol portion 420 may show numerical values for injection volume 426,flow rate 428, default (maximum) pressure limit 430, and injectionduration 432. In some examples, injection parameter information ismanually entered. For example, as discussed in connection with enteringpatient information, a virtual keyboard may be displayed on the protocolscreen 400. The keyboard can be used to manually enter injectionparameters for the injection to be performed. In other examples, aninput component or accessory can be used for manually enteringinformation about an injection to be performed. In some examples,injection parameter information is determined based on the type ofadapter installed on the injector and/or on the type of fluid orprefilled syringe being used for the injection. In other cases,information about the type of adapter or prefilled syringe may be usedto establish maximum values or ranges of acceptable values for differentinjection parameters. In that case, a user may be able to selectinjection parameters for the injection using the fluid delivery setupscreen shown in FIG. 18A. However, a warning may be provided if theparameters selected by the user are outside of an acceptable range forthe adapter being used.

With reference to FIG. 15, a system setup screen 500 accessible from theprotocol screen 400 is shown. For example, a user may select or press abutton on the protocol screen to open the system setup screen 500. Thesetup screen 500 is typically opened the first time that a user uses thesystem to select his or her preferences. The setup screen 500 allows theuser to make selections about appearance of user interface screens andto turn on or off different user interface features. Default preferencescan be saved and loaded each time that the user uses the system. Forexample, a user can select which units doses are displayed in using thebutton 510 or may set levels for screen brightness 512. The user canalso turn certain user interface features on and off from the screen500. For example, a user can decide whether to turn on or off featuresincluding an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) calculator 514or weight based dosing calculator 516. The user can also decide whetherto turn the PFA Feedback 518 feature on or off. The feedback featureprovides the user with information about what PFA adapter should be usedfor particular procedures. The feedback can also confirm whether a PFAinstalled on the injector is incorrect for a procedure to be performed.In some cases, feedback can inform the user that none of the availableadapters are approved for use with the syringe or fluid to be injectedduring a particular procedure. In that case, the user may need to selecta different type of fluid or a different type of prefilled syringe foran injection procedure.

With reference to FIG. 18A, the fluid delivery setup screen 800, whichcan be accessed from the protocol screen 400, is illustrated. The fluiddelivery setup screen 800 includes a list 810 of injection parameters.These parameters may be adjusted prior to each injection procedure ormay remain the same for a series of procedures. The listed parameterscan include a keep vein open (KVO) interval, slow forward load rate,slow reverse load rate, fast forward load rate, and fast reverse loadrate. In order to select a numerical value for a parameter, a userpresses a virtual button associated with a parameter of interest, whichdisplays a list 812 of options. For example, as shown in FIG. 18A,selecting “fast forward load rate” displays a list of values from 1.0ml/s to 3.0 ml/s. The screen 800 can also include a virtual button 814allowing a user to select preloaded default values for the injectionparameters. The user's selections can be saved by the system until aninjection is ready to be performed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 18A,the screen 800 can include a message box 816 confirming that theselections have been received and stating that “Load Rate willAutomatically Adjust when PFA is installed for Use”.

As shown in FIG. 188, a similar menu screen, referred to as a “ContrastType” screen 820, can be used to enter information about differentcontrast fluids into the system or to identify the contrast or fluidtype to be delivered to the patient in an injection procedure. Using thescreen 820, the user can select the type of contrast to be deliveredalong with parameters including concentration and vial size. In someexamples, the user can also enter dosage information 822, dosage weightlimits 824, dosage minimum age 826, and other characteristics fordifferent contrasts, which can be used to confirm that the selectedcontrast is appropriate for the patient and injection protocol. Whencontrast name button 828 is selected, a list 830 of contrast fluidswhich can be delivered to the patient is displayed. As shown in FIG.18B, the list 830 includes Gadovistk®, Magnevist®, Primovistk®,Prohance®, Magnescope®, and Multihance®. Other contrast fluids includingDotarem® can also be used with the system disclosed herein as each arereadily commercially available. Once the user selects the type ofcontrast for the injection, a popup box 832 can be displayed asking theuser to confirm the type of contrast selected or, for example, toconfirm information about the selected contrast fluid, such as the nameof the manufacturer or seller of the selected contrast fluid. Thesequestions can be a confirmation that the user has selected the correctfluid for the procedure to be performed. For example, the popup box 832in FIG. 18B asks the user to confirm that the selected contrast fluid tobe used for a procedure was sold by Eisai. Information about contrastfluid manufacturer or seller can be entered and saved along with otherinformation about contrast fluid during an initial setup or contrastconfiguration process for the system. In some examples, the contrastsetup screen in FIG. 17 can be used for entering information aboutparticular contrast fluids. Following initial contrast setup, the usercan edit or update the contrast and manufacturer information while usingthe system by selecting a Contrast Edit screen from the user interface.In some examples, the system can also provide feedback based on a typeof contrast selected by the user. For example, when the user selects atype of contrast and vial size which is compatible with a PFA, thecompatible PFA icon can be displayed on the screen to inform the userthat fluids being prepared for use are compatible with certain PFAdevices.

The injector system and user interface described herein can be used toguide the user through performance of a number of different injectionprocedures and cases. For example, the user interface screens can assista user in preparing the injector and syringes, operating the injector,and, following the injection, preparing for another injection for thesame or a different patient. Feedback provided through the userinterface can address a number of different use cases including, forexample, when an incorrect adapter is installed or when a selectedsyringe or fluid-type is not compatible with any available adapters.Exemplary injector preparation and fluid delivery processes are shown inFIGS. 19-22.

Example 1: Standard Fluid Delivery Procedure

As shown in FIG. 19, a flow chart of a process for performing a fluiddelivery procedure with the injector system and for displayinginformation about the injection with the user interface is illustrated.In this example, the adapter is initially connected to the injector. Forexample, the adapter may have been used in a previous injectionprocedure and is still connected to the injector. Alternatively, theuser may know which adapter to use with a particular prefilled syringeand install the adapter to the injector before performing otherinjection preparation activities.

As shown at 910, the system is configured to identify the installedadapter. For example, information about the type of adapter can beautomatically extracted from a bar code or design on the adapter itself.In one example, a base portion of the adapter which is inserted in thesyringe port may include a pattern of grooves and ridges which can beidentified by a scanner or sensor positioned in the injector syringeport. Information captured by the sensor or scanner can be processed toidentified the adapter type. Optionally, maximum acceptable injectionparameter values or acceptable ranges for injection parameters can bedetermined from system memory, as shown at 912, based on the identifiedadapter type. Injection parameters that can be determined based on theidentified adapter type can include maximum syringe volume, flow rate,default (maximum) pressure limit, and forward/reverse piston controlspeeds based on the identified adapter.

As shown at 914, a user may enter patient information for the injectionto be performed using the user interface. Patient information caninclude a patient ID number, name, date of birth, weight, and height. Asdescribed herein, patient information can be entered manually or scannedfrom a patient identifying tag, such as a bracelet. In other examples, auser may select a patient's name from a list of previous patients orquery and search a patient database. In that case, patient informationfor the selected patient can be obtained from system memory or hospitalrecords. As shown at 916, the user may then enter protocol informationfor the procedure to be performed. For example, the user may enter fluidinformation using a portion of the user interface screen shown in FIG.18B. Fluid information can include source type, batch number, expirationdate, and other information, which is generally printed on a prefilledsyringe label. The user may also enter injection parameters, such asfluid volume and rate using the fluid delivery setup screen shown inFIG. 18A. The entered fluid delivery or injection parameters can bedisplayed in the protocol portion 420 of the protocol screen 400. Oncethe injector and protocol information are determined or manuallyentered, as shown at 918, the user installs the prefilled syringe intothe adapter and connects a tubing set for transporting fluid from thesyringe to the patient.

After the prefilled syringe and tubing set are connected, as shown at920, the injector piston is advanced through the syringe port from ahome position towards a plunger of the prefilled syringe. Since theactual position of the plunger in the prefilled syringe is not knownwhen the injector piston begins to advance past the home position, thesystem assumes or estimates that the syringe is filled with fluid. Inthat case, the LED display of the injector and protocol screen 400 ofthe user interface may display the syringe maximum estimated fluidvolume. In addition, the syringe icon 422 a on the protocol screen 400can show that the syringe is filled with fluid. As the PFA pistonadvances through the adapter past the home position or past anotherselected position, such as a position corresponding to the syringeplunger position when the syringe is filled with fluid, the fluid volumedisplayed on the injector and protocol screen decreases. For example,the selected position could be a position 1 mL above the home position.In addition, the fluid level shown by the syringe icon 422 a on theprotocol screen 400 (shown in FIG. 14) moves downward towards the distalend of the syringe indicating decreased fluid volume.

Once injector pistons are connected to the plungers of the respectivesyringes, as shown at 922, a priming process can be performed. Forsyringes connected to a syringe port through the PFA, such as a syringecontaining contrast fluid, the user performs a two-step priming process.First, the user manually advances the injector piston, such as bypressing and holding a button on the injector housing, to prime contrastfluid from the syringe barrel to a T-connector portion of fluid tubing.Once the contrast fluid is manually primed to the desired position, anautomatic priming process can be performed to prime a saline syringe.For example, an auto-prime button may appear on the user interfacescreen for the user to select. During auto-priming, since the salinesyringe is connected directly to the injector (such as saline syringeB), priming can be performed automatically since the position of theplunger and fluid volume contained in the syringe are known. During theauto-priming process, the piston is advanced a predetermined distancefrom its home position to expel saline from the saline syringe and intotubing connecting the syringes to other portions of the injector system.In some examples, the system may prevent the user from beginning theauto-priming process if a PEA piston for the contrast syringe (insyringe port A) is not at least slightly above its home position, sincesuch positioning would indicate that the user has not manually primedthe contrast fluid as required

In some examples, the user interface can guide the user through themanual priming process to address any difficulties the user may have inpriming the contrast syringe. For example, a message instructing theuser to press and hold the injector piston advance button could bedisplayed on the user interface display. After the injector pistonadvances a distance based on how long the user holds the advance button,the user interface could display a message instructing the user to pressthe auto-prime button once the fluid level reaches the tubing set. Insome instances, the auto-prime feature may be enabled only after themanual priming process has been sensed by the system to have beencompleted. In a similar manner, the user interface can be configured toprevent the user from arming and/or attempting to perform an injectionuntil priming is completed. For example, if the user attempts to arm theinjector system or perform an injection without first priming air fromthe system, the user interface may display a warning or alert informingthe user that such actions cannot be performed without first priming thesyringe(s) and tubing.

Once the tubing is primed, as shown at 924, the user can set theinjector system to begin an injection. For example, the user caninitiate a lock and/or arm protocol by pressing appropriate buttonsdisplayed on the user interface. Once the injector is locked and armed,the injection is performed. For example, piston rods can be advancedthrough the syringe port and adapter causing the syringe plungers toadvance through the syringes to expel fluid therefrom. The pistonscontinue to advance until a preselected injection volume has beendelivered to the patient or until the syringes are empty. Once thedesired fluid volume has been delivered to the patient, an injectioncomplete message may be displayed on the injector and/or on the userinterface confirming for the user that the desired amount of fluid hasbeen delivered.

Following the injection, as shown at box 926, the system may ask theuser to select whether the next injection will be for the same patientor for a new patient. The user may submit an answer with the userinterface. Alternatively or in addition, as shown at box 928, theinjector system can automatically or in response to a request by theuser initiate an injector piston retraction process allowing a user toremove an empty syringe from the adapter. The injector piston retractioncan be an auto-retract process in which the injector automaticallywithdraws the piston from the syringe plunger and back into the syringeport. For example, the piston can also be retracted back to its homeposition. Alternatively, the user may manually retract the piston bypressing and holding a piston retract button on the injector or userinterface until the piston retracts to a desired position. Once thepiston is retracted the user can remove the empty syringe from theinjector device.

Example 2: Adapter Not Initially Installed on Injector Unit

FIG. 20 depicts a flow chart for another example fluid delivery processusing the injector and user interface is illustrated. In this example,the adapter is not initially installed on the injector. Instead, in theprocess of FIG. 20, the user interface provides a recommendation for anadapter to use based on information entered by the user.

As shown at 1010, the user selects a fluid type for the injection to beperformed. For example, the user can enter a type of fluid, batchnumber, expiration date, and other information using the current fluidinformation screen described above. The user may also indicate that thefluid should be delivered using an adapter by, for example, checking a“Use Adapter” box on a current fluid information popup box or screen, asshown in FIG. 17. Once the current fluid information is entered, asshown at 1012, the injector system can determine a recommended orcompatible adapter which can be used with the prefilled syringe andfluid to be delivered. As shown at 1014, an icon indicating therecommended adapter type can be displayed on one of the user interfacescreens. For example, an icon or image of the recommended or compatibleadapter may be displayed on the protocol screen 400, shown in FIG. 14. Anumber for the recommended or compatible adapter (e.g., 1-5) can also beshown on the injector itself. For example, the number for therecommended adapter can flash or blink on the front panel display of theinjector shown in FIG. 13. The number for the recommended adapter cancontinue to flash until a predetermined timeout period has expired,until a correct adapter is installed, or indefinitely. If an incorrectadapter is installed, the injector display may continue blinking toindicate to the user or technician that the adapter should be replaced.In a similar manner, as described herein, a message indicating that thewrong adapter has been installed could be displayed on the userinterface.

As shown at 1016, the user installs the recommended or compatibleadapter to the injector. The injector display stops blinking once theinjector senses that the correct adapter has been installed aspreviously described. As shown at 1018, the user then installs theprefilled syringe and tubing and advances the injector piston past thehome position, as described above in connection with FIG. 19, andcontinues with the priming task and entry of protocol information 916,if such a task has not been completed previously. As shown at 1020, theuser then locks and arms the injector and performs the injection asdescribed above.

Example 3: User Installs Wrong Adapter

An example case in which a user installs the wrong adapter is shown inFIG. 21. As shown at 1110 and 1112, the user enters information for thefluid and protocol as described above. Once the fluid and protocolinformation is entered, as shown at 1114, a recommendation for anadapter to be used is determined by the system and the recommended orcompatible adapter icon is displayed on the protocol screen of the userinterface. At 1116, the user installs an adapter to the syringe port.However, the installed adapter is not a recommended adapter or anadapter which is compatible for the injection procedure to be performed.As shown at 1118, the injector system identifies the installed adapterand, as shown at 1120, generates a message that the adapter is incorrector not compatible for a scheduled injection procedure. For example, apopup message can appear on the protocol screen of the user interfaceinforming the user that an incorrect adapter has been installed. Theuser may be required to acknowledge the popup box by, for example,selecting an “OK” button on the popup box. After the message isacknowledged, the icon or message indicating the recommended size/typeof syringe can be displayed again on the user interface. The user canreview the recommendation and install another adapter or syringe.Alternatively, after acknowledging the popup message, the user couldcontinue to perform the injection using the installed syringe andadapter. In particular, the system does not prevent the user fromperforming an injection if a detected adapter is identified as beingincompatible with an injection to be performed. Instead, the user ispermitted to continue performing the injection after the popup messageis acknowledged.

The user interface can also identify that a selected fluid is notcompatible with any of the available adapters. For example, the user mayenter a fluid type in the current fluid information screen and check a“Use adapter” box indicating that an adapter should be used for theinjection. However, if the fluid name entered by the user is notrecognized and/or is not supported by the injector system, a warning maybe displayed. For example, the warning may state that the entered fluidand prefilled syringe are not compatible with any of the adapters. Theuser may be requested to acknowledge the popup box by selecting an “OK”button. An icon indicating that none of the adapters are recommended foruse with the fluid and syringe can also be displayed on the protocolscreen.

If the user knows that the fluid and syringe can be used with one of theavailable adapters, the user can override the warning and install theadapter. The system can be configured to allow the user to continue withthe injection once the adapter is installed. The injector systemgenerally is not configured to prevent the user from performing aninjection. Instead, the popup box is only meant to be a notificationasking the user to reconsider or confirm that the syringe and fluid arecorrect. The adapter feedback and user interface is not meant to preventthe user from controlling the injection.

Example 4: Automatic Syringe Identification

As shown in FIG. 22, a process for automatically identifying the syringeby scanning or recording an image of a syringe label is illustrated. In1210, a bar code or label of a prefilled syringe is scanned to determineinformation about the syringe and fluid contained therein. Scanning canbe performed using a handheld portable scanner device, such as a barcode scanner. In other examples, an image of the label can be obtainedby, for example, taking a picture of the label with a smart phone orsimilar digital camera device. At 1212, the obtained image or bar codeis processed to identify fluid and syringe information. At 1214, aconfirmation box may appear on the user interface asking the user toconfirm which manufacturer sells the selected contrast fluid and/or toconfirm that other information extracted from the label or bar code iscorrect to identify and confirm that an appropriate fluid is being usedfor the injection. Once the fluid is identified and confirmed, as shownat 1216, the user interface can provide a recommendation for an adapterto be used. As in previously described examples, an icon can appear onthe protocol screen of the user interface indicating to the user acompatible or recommended adapter. The recommended adapter number canalso be displayed on the LED display on the front panel of the injectoritself. For example, the recommended adapter number can blink or flashon the LED display until a correct adapter is installed or until apredetermined time out period expires. At 1218, the user installs therecommended adapter to the injector and the injector confirms that theadapter is the correct type. At 1220, as in other examples, theprefilled syringe and tubing are installed and the injection isperformed. At 1222, following the injection, an injector pistonretraction process can be initiated allowing the user to remove theempty syringe from the adapter.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, in certaininstances, health care providers need to be protected from certainliquids administered through a syringe. For example, some diagnosticimaging procedures, such as positron emission tomography (PET) andsingle-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or other nuclearmedicine procedures, require that a patient receive radioactive contrastagents, also called radiopharmaceuticals, to obtain images. Illustrativeand non-restrictive examples of radiopharmaceuticals include ⁶⁴Cudiacetyl-bis(⁴-methylthiosemicarbazone) (e.g., ATSM or Copper 64),18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), Na¹⁸F (sodium fluoride),3′-deoxy-3′-[¹⁸F]fluorothymidine (FLT), ¹⁸F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO),gallium, technetium-99m, indium-113m, strontium-87m, and thallium. Onemethod for protecting healthcare providers that come into contact withsyringes containing radioactive contrast agents and other radioactivesubstances is to provide a shield around the body of the syringe. Ingeneral, a syringe shield is configured to significantly absorb or blockradiation from exiting the syringe and contacting a health care providerduring handling and/or administering of the radioactive substance.

With reference to FIGS. 23-25, an adapter 1301 in accordance with thepresent disclosure may be provided and configured to receive a shieldedsyringe 1300 and releasably attach the shielded syringe 1300 to thesecond opening 84 of the injector 10 (See FIG. 1), More specifically andas shown in FIG. 24, a typical shielded syringe 1300 may comprise asyringe body 1302 covered by a syringe shield 1304. A window 1306 may bearranged in the syringe shield 1304 to provide a limited view of thesyringe body 1302, such as the injector piston and/or the gradation onthe syringe. The syringe body 1302 comprises a forward dispensing end1308, a plunger rod 1310 slideably positioned within the body 1302, anda flange 1312 extending around a rearward end 1314 of the body 1302.

The syringe shield 1304 may be manufactured out of various materials,including, without limitation, lead, depleted uranium, tungsten, andtungsten impregnated polymers, while the window 1306 may be manufacturedout numerous types of materials, including, but not limited to, leadglass or lead loaded acrylic. The syringe shield 1304 may operate toshield a health care provider, particularly the hands of a health careprovider, from radiation emanating from radioactive substance containedwithin the syringe body 1302 as he/she handles, is near, and/oradministers the radioactive substance.

In one example, the adapter 1301 comprises: a mounting mechanism 1303positioned at a rear end 1305 of the adapter 1301 to mount the adapter1301 in a desired position relative to the front wall 80 of the injector10; a syringe carrier section 1307 adapted to seat the shielded syringe1300 therein; and an intermediate section 1309 operably connected to anddisposed between the syringe carrier section 1307 and the mountingmechanism 1303.

The mounting mechanism 1303 comprises any suitable mechanism forreleasably mounting the adapter 1301 to the syringe interface within thesecond opening 84. In one example, the mounting mechanism 1303 comprisesa pair of mounting flanges 1311 and a drip flange 1313 positionedforward of the mounting flanges 1311 to, for example, facilitate theengagement of the adapter 1301 to the second opening 84 of the injectorand/or to prevent fluid expelled from the shielded syringe 1300 fromentering into injector 10 via the second opening 84. Additional detailof the mounting mechanism 1303 is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,657,which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, this type ofmounting mechanism is not to be construed as limiting the presentdisclosure as any suitable mounting mechanism may be utilized.

The syringe carrier section 1307 defines a first opening 1315 on a topthereof to allow placement of the shielded syringe 1300 therein and asecond opening 1317 in a rear section 1319 thereof to allow the drivemember 40 b of the injector, as shown for example in FIG. 1, tocommunicate forward force to the plunger rod 1310 of the shieldedsyringe 1300. A forward portion 1321 of the syringe carrier section 1307is designed and configured to support and engage an insert member 1323.The insert member 1323 is designed and configured to securely hold theshielded syringe 1300 therein. The insert member 1323 includes a pair ofnotches 1325 provided to secure the flange 1312 of the shielded syringe1300 therein. The notches 1325 abut the flange 1312 such that the forceexerted by the shielded syringe 1300 on the adapter 1301 during aninjection is generally symmetrical about the axis A1 of the adapter1301. The adapter 1301 may be such that the forward force on the syringeduring injection is transmitted or resisted first to the shield and fromthe shield to the adapter 1301. Alternatively, the adapter 1301 mayinterface with one or more aspects of the syringe directly so that theforward force on the syringe is directly transmitted to the adapter1301, or the force may be transmitted via both force paths as hereindescribed.

The intermediate section 1309 is operably connected to and disposedbetween the syringe carrier section 1307 and the mounting mechanism1303. The intermediate section 1309 comprises a cylindrical body 1327having the push rod 52 at least partially disposed therein. In oneexample, the push rod 52 has a first end for engaging the plunger rod1310 of the shielded syringe 1300 and a second end 1329. The second end1329 of the push rod 52 includes an engagement mechanism 1331 configuredto engage the drive member 40 b of the injector 10. The engagementmechanism 1331 may be the same engagement mechanism 140 shown in FIGS.3. 4, 11, and 12 or any other suitable engagement mechanism. The firstend of the push rod 52 includes a clamping mechanism 1333 configured toreleasably connect the push rod 52 to the plunger rod 1310.

In operation of the adapter 1301, the push rod 52 makes a connectionwith the drive member 40 b of the injector 10 as described hereinaboveafter the mounting mechanism 1303 is attached to the front wall 80 ofthe injector 10. The shielded syringe 1300 can be top loaded via firstopening 1315 into syringe carrier section 1307 either before or afterconnection of adapter 1301 to the injector 10 via the mounting mechanism1303. The push rod 52 is advanced forward through the intermediatesection 1309 by the drive member 40 b until the clamping mechanism 1333at the first end thereof engages and connects to the plunger rod 1310.Thereafter, the contents of the shielded syringe 1300 are injected intoa patient using the injector 10. As an example, the adapter 1301 mayallow an MR injector to controllably deliver a radiopharmaceutical foruse in a nuclear medicine imaging procedure.

With reference to FIGS. 26-30, another example of an adapter 1401 forthe shielded syringe 1300 is illustrated. The adapter 1401 may forexample be used to adapt a CT injector to inject and controllablydeliver a nuclear medicine radiopharmaccutical. The adapter 1401comprises a mounting mechanism 1403 positioned at a rear end of theadapter 1401 to mount the adapter 1401 in a desired position relative tothe front wall 80 of the injector 10 (see FIG. 1); a syringe carriersection 1405 adapted to seat the shielded syringe 1300 therein; and anintermediate section 1407 operably connected to and disposed between thesyringe carrier section 1405 and the mounting mechanism 1403.

The mounting mechanism 1403 comprises any suitable mechanism forreleasably mounting the adapter 1401 to the syringe interface within thesecond opening 84. In one example, the mounting mechanism 1403 comprisesa mounting flange 1409 and a drip flange 1411 positioned forward of themounting flange 1409 as described in greater detail hereinabove.

The syringe carrier section 1405 includes an opening 1413 on a topthereof to allow placement of the shielded syringe 1300 therein. Therear end of the shielded syringe 1300 includes extension members 1316configured to engage a rear wall 1415 when a force is applied to theplunger rod 1310 of the shielded syringe 1300.

The intermediate section 1407 comprises a generally planar element 1417having a top surface 1419 and a bottom surface 1421 and a slot 1423extending therebetween. A plunger rod engaging mechanism 1425 extendsthrough the slot 1423 and is configured to engage the plunger rod 1310of the shielded syringe 1300 prior to an injection procedure as shown inFIG. 26. With specific reference to FIG. 27, the bottom surface 1421 ofthe planar element 1417 includes a pair of rails 1427 extendingtherefrom. A drive member engaging portion 1429 is provided to engagethe drive member 40 b (not shown) of the injector 10 and travel alongthe rails 1427 in the direction of arrow C during an injectionprocedure. The drive member engaging portion 1429 is operativelyconnected to a reduction mechanism configured to modify the displacementrelationship between the drive member 40 b and the plunger rod 1310.More specifically, the drive member engaging portion 1429 is pivotallyconnected to a first end of a lever 1431. A second end 1433 of the lever1431 is pivotally connected to bottom surface 1421 of the planar element1417 and an intermediate portion 1435 of the lever 1431 is pivotallyconnected to a slider mechanism 1437 located centrally on the bottomsurface 1421 of the planar element 1417.

The slider mechanism 1437 is operatively connected to the plunger rodengaging mechanism 1425 such that movement of the slider mechanism 1437in the direction of arrow C causes the plunger rod 1310 to move throughthe shielded syringe 1300 and expel fluid therefrom. More specifically,and with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, as the drive member 40 b of theinjector 10 (not shown) advances in the direction of arrow C, the drivemember 40 b (not shown) engages the drive member engaging portion 1429to advance the drive member engaging portion 1429 along the rails 1427.As the drive member engaging portion 1429 moves along the rails 1427,the lever 1431 pivotally moves relative the drive member engagingportion 1429 and transmits a reduced motion to the slider mechanism 1437also in the direction of arrow C. As the slider mechanism 1437 moves,this motion is transmitted to the plunger rod engaging mechanism 1425and the plunger rod 1310 of the shielded syringe 1300, thereby injectingthe contents of the shielded syringe 1300 into a patient. In thisexample, the reduced motion of the slider mechanism 1437 enables moreprecise and accurate control of the fluid delivery. It may also allowachievement of higher pressures if those are needed. In an alternateexample, not shown, the relationship may be reversed and the syringe mayhave a longer travel than the injector piston can achieve. Thismechanical change of piston travel distance with relation to syringeplunger travel distance may be applied to any syringe adapter, not justthose with nuclear medicine shields. Moreover, the mechanical change ofpiston travel may be done with a variety of mechanical assemblies,including for example and without limitation, rack and pinion, ballscrews and pulleys.

While specific embodiments of the device of the present disclosure havebeen described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that various modifications and alternatives to those details couldbe developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the device of thepresent disclosure which is to be given the full breadth of the claimsappended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. An adapter for releasably attaching a syringe to aninjector, wherein the syringe comprises a body, a front end having afluid outlet extending from a forward end of the body, a plungerslideably positioned within the body, and a flange extending around arearward end of the body, and wherein the injector comprises a frontwall, an opening formed in the front wall, and a drive memberreciprocally mounted in the injector, the adapter comprising: a mountingmechanism positioned at a rear end of the adapter to mount the adapterin a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector; asyringe carrier section adapted to seat at least a portion of thesyringe, the syringe carrier section defining a first opening on a topthereof to allow placement of the syringe therein from the top and asecond opening in a rear section thereof to allow the drive member ofthe injector to communicate forward force to the plunger; and a coverportion extending over a rearward end of the first opening, the coverportion comprising a body having a front face and rear face that areangled to meet at a top of the body, wherein the front face of the coverportion causes the syringe to pivot in a controlled manner duringremoval of the syringe from the syringe carrier section.
 16. The adapterof claim 15, further comprising an intermediate section operablyconnected to and disposed between the syringe carrier section and themounting mechanism.
 17. The adapter of claim 16, further comprising apush rod at least partially disposed within the intermediate section,the push rod comprising a first end for engaging the plunger of thesyringe and a second end.
 18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein thesecond end of the push rod comprises a pair of biased engagement legsthat are configured to engage the drive member of the injector.
 19. Theadapter of claim 18, wherein each of the engagement legs is biased by aspring element to return to an engagement position.
 20. The adapter ofclaim 18, wherein each of the engagement legs comprises a free first endand a second end that is connected to the push rod.
 21. The adapter ofclaim 20, wherein the free first end of each of the engagement legscomprises a gripping member configured to engage a flange provided onthe drive member of the injector.
 22. The adapter of claim 15, wherein afirst end of the cover portion is configured to abut the flange of thesyringe when the syringe is positioned within the syringe carriersection.
 23. The adapter of claim 18, further comprising a sealingmember positioned within the second opening of the syringe carriersection and configured to contact the push rod and prevent a fluid fromthe syringe from passing rearward of the sealing member.
 24. The adapterof claim 18, wherein a second end of the cover portion comprises aretainer ring extending therefrom to hold the sealing member in placewithin the second opening of the syringe carrier section.
 25. Theadapter of claim 15, wherein the syringe carrier section comprises aninner surface and a flexing retaining member disposed on the innersurface.
 26. (canceled)
 27. The adapter of claim 21, wherein the flexingretaining member comprises a first leg having a first end operativelyconnected to the inner surface of the syringe carrier section and asecond free end and a second leg spaced from the first leg and having afirst end operatively connected to the inner surface of the syringecarrier section and a second free end such that a space between thefirst leg and the second leg is configured to receive the syringe.
 28. Afeedback and control system for a fluid injector, comprising: aninjector comprising at least one syringe port configured to receive asyringe adapter, wherein the at least one syringe port comprises asensor for obtaining information about the syringe adapter mountedthereto; and a control device in electronic communication with theinjector comprising a visual display, wherein the control devicedisplays a user interface for guiding a user during operation of theinjector, the control device being configured to: determine arecommended adapter type based on a type of fluid to be injected to apatient; determine one or more injection parameters for an injection tobe performed based, at least in part, on the recommended adapter type;confirm that the syringe adapter mounted to the syringe port is therecommended adapter type; and display a notification on the visualdisplay if the syringe adapter mounted to the syringe port is not therecommended adapter type.
 29. A feedback and control system for a fluidinjector, comprising: an injector comprising at least one syringe portconfigured to receive a syringe adapter, wherein the at least onesyringe port comprises an axially movable piston configured to engage aplunger of a prefilled syringe inserted in the adapter and a sensor forobtaining information about a syringe and/or adapter mounted to thesyringe port; and a control device in electronic communication with theinjector comprising a visual display, wherein the control devicedisplays a user interface for guiding a user during operation of theinjector, the control device being configured to: provide a visualrepresentation of a syringe on the visual display; cause the piston ofthe syringe port to advance from a home position through the syringeadapter mounted to the syringe port towards a plunger of the prefilledsyringe; update the visual representation of the syringe to depict thatthe syringe is full of fluid when the piston begins to advance past thehome position; and further update the visual representation of thesyringe on the visual display to display a volume of fluid remaining inthe syringe, wherein the displayed volume of fluid remaining in thesyringe is determined based on a position of the piston relative to thehome position of the piston.
 30. A feedback and control system for afluid injector, comprising: an injector comprising at least one syringeport configured to receive a syringe adapter, wherein the at least onesyringe port comprises a sensor for obtaining information for theadapter; and a control device in electronic communication with theinjector comprising a visual display, wherein the control devicedisplays a user interface for guiding a user during operation of theinjector, the control device being configured to: receive informationfrom the syringe port sensor to identify a type of adapter connected tothe at least one syringe port; and provide on the visual display avisual icon indicating the type of the adapter connected to the at leastone syringe port, wherein the visual icon comprises a visualrepresentation of an adapter, which identifies the type of adapter. 31.An adapter for releasably attaching a shielded syringe to an injector,wherein the shielded syringe comprises a body, a front end having afluid outlet extending from a forward end of the body, a plungerslideably positioned within the body, a flange extending around arearward end of the body, and a syringe shield covering at least aportion of the syringe body, and wherein the injector comprises a frontwall, an opening formed in the front wall, and a drive memberreciprocally mounted in the injector, the adapter comprising: a mountingmechanism positioned at a rear end of the adapter to mount the adapterin a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector; asyringe carrier section adapted to seat at least a portion of thesyringe, the syringe carrier section defining a first opening on a topthereof to allow placement of the syringe therein from the top and asecond opening in a rear section thereof to allow the drive member ofthe injector to communicate forward force to the plunger; an insertmember provided at a forward portion of the syringe carrier section, theinsert member designed and configured to securely hold the shieldedsyringe therein; and an intermediate section operably connected to anddisposed between the syringe carrier section and the mounting mechanism.32. The adapter of claim 31, wherein the insert member comprises a pairof notches provided to secure the flange of the shielded syringetherein.
 33. The adapter of claim 31, wherein a forward force during aninjection procedure on the shielded syringe from the drive member of theinjector is one of fully transmitted through the syringe shield,partially transmitted through the syringe shield, and prevented frombeing transmitted through the syringe shield.
 34. An adapter forreleasably attaching a syringe to an injector, wherein the syringecomprises a body, a front end having a fluid outlet extending from aforward end of the body, a plunger slideably positioned within the body,and a flange extending around a rearward end of the body, and whereinthe injector comprises a front wall, an opening formed in the frontwall, and a drive member reciprocally mounted in the injector, theadapter comprising: a mounting mechanism positioned at a rear end of theadapter to mount the adapter in a desired position relative to the frontwall of the injector; a syringe carrier section adapted to seat at leasta portion of the syringe, the syringe carrier section defining a firstopening on a top thereof to allow placement of the syringe therein fromthe top; and an intermediate section operably connected to and disposedbetween the syringe carrier section and the mounting mechanism, theintermediate section comprising a reduction mechanism to modify adisplacement relationship between the drive member of the injector andthe plunger of the syringe.
 35. The adapter of claim 34, wherein thereduction mechanism comprises: a generally planar element having a topsurface and a bottom surface and a slot extending therebetween; aplunger engaging mechanism extending through the slot and configured toengage the plunger of the syringe prior to an injection procedure; apair of rails extending from the bottom surface of the generally planarelement; a drive member engaging portion positioned to engage the drivemember of the injector and travel along the rails during an injectionprocedure; a lever having a first end pivotally connected to the drivemember engaging portion, a second end pivotally connected to the bottomsurface of the planar element, and an intermediate portion; and a slidermechanism located centrally on the bottom surface of the planar element,wherein the slider mechanism is pivotally connected to the intermediateportion of the lever and operatively connected to the plunger rodengaging mechanism such that movement of the slider mechanism causes theplunger to move through syringe and expel fluid therefrom.